104

Somehow Anna had found some stuffed animals, children’s books and pyjamas that fit Luka. After they had dinner and Luka had devoured both his dinner and dessert, Ava followed him up to the room that was next to hers and Zane’s bedroom. She helped him change and get comfortable in the big bed. 

“Me and Zane sleep in the room next to this. If you wake up and feel scared, you can come to us. Or if you call out, we will hear you,” she told him. 

“And Zane won’t be mad? Jonas always got mad when I had nightmares,” Luka asked.

“No, he won’t be mad. And if he scares you, I will put him in time out,” she told him. He smiled and nodded. Ava read him a story, but two pages in and Luka was off like a light. He had had a busy day. She tucked him in and left the door a little opened as she walked into Zane’s office, leaving that door a little open as well. Zane and Jax looked at her questioning, they never left the door open when they were working in there. “It’s in case Luka gets out of bed and comes looking for us,” she told them. Zane pulled her down onto his lap.

“Am I losing you to a toddler?” he asked. Ava smiled.

“No, not anytime soon. And the doctor thinks Luka is older than he looks. He would say about six,” she told the two men. 

“He’s small for a six-year-old,” Jax said. 

“He’s probably been living on poor quality food or too little food. He also has bruises that are older. He’s terrified of Jonas,” Ava told them. She had to pause to collect herself. Zane gently rubbed her back. “Jona’s has been calling Luka some awful things and he seems to have got mad if the boy reminded him of his existence. He said his mother was gone one day when he woke up. I’m worried Jonas did something to her,” she continued. 

“I did some more digging while you kept the boy company,” Jax said. “One of Jonas, let’s say friend, saw the woman Jonas lived with go into a teashop down town. Apparently, she looked a mess, beaten and scarred. That’s the last trace I have of her. But I will continue tomorrow.”

“Wait, was it Lady Gray’s tea shop?” Ava asked.

“Yeah, how did you know?” he asked, surprised. 

“A hunch. You don’t have to look into it. I’ll handle it,” she told him.

“Angel, what aren’t you telling us?” Zane asked. 

“Nothing important. This is one of those things where you trust me and let me do my thing without asking questions,” Ava said. He frowned and Ava understood why. Zane had never been good at letting go of her and let her do her own thing without him being part of it. Most of the time she didn’t mind, she loved that he wanted to be involved in her life. But there were times when independence was necessary. This was one of those. 

“Since when do we keep secrets from each other?” he asked. 

“Are you going to tell me you tell me everything you do? Every detail?” she asked. His frown deepened. 

“And that is my cue to leave. Have a nice night and let me know if you need me, Ava,” Jax said and merrily left the office. 

“Well?” Ava asked Zane. 

“Maybe not everything,”he admitted. 

“There you go.”

“But it’s to protect you,” he objected. 

“I know, and I don’t mind it. I love that you try to shield me from things you think will corrupt me. This time I need to protect someone,” she told him.

“Will it put you in danger?” 

“No.”

“Angel, you better tell me the truth about that. If I find out you have put yourself in danger to protect someone else, you won’t be able to sit for a week,” he told her in a dark voice. Ava felt the tingle run through her body.

“Even if it’s you I’m protecting?” she asked.

“Especially if it’s me. I’m the one that will protect you, not the other way around. You have your hands full being the one who keeps me sane and all,” he told her. He then sealed it with a kiss that had Ava’s desire spiking. “Time for bed, angel. It’s been a long day and you and the little one need your rest,” he said, placing his hand on her stomach. They left the office and stopped to look in on Luka on their way to their bedroom. He had snuggled up with a stuffed pink bunny and was sleeping peacefully. “He’s alright when he isn’t trying to steal you away,” Zane whispered. 

“He’s a sweet boy,” she agreed. When they were back in their own bedroom, Ava felt a little nervous. “Should we have asked him if he wanted to sleep in here?” she asked Zane. 

“Where would he have slept? Seems cruel to let him sleep on the floor,” he replied. Ava giggled.

“In the bed, honey. He would be sleeping in the bed.”

“With us?” he asked, like he never would have thought about that solution.

“Yes, children usually feel safe if they get to sleep with adults. But I don’t know if Luke would be okay with it. He dosn’t know us that well and he is nervous around men,” she told him. 

“So when the little one comes, will that be a thing?” he asked. She smiled at him.

“I’m guessing it will be a thing. Especially if you want a football team.” 

“All the time?” Ava laughed.

“God I hope not. We will have to teach them to sleep in their own beds and just come over when they feel scared or need a snuggle,” she said. Zane drew her into his body and leaned down.

“I can’t see a future where I don’ get to enjoy your body and play our little games, angle,” he whispered in her ear. Ava felt her body respond to him in an instant. 

“I enjoy it as well,” she finally managed to say. She felt his smile as he skimmed his lips over the sensitive skin on her neck. 

“I know you do, angel. Every time my hand wanders beneath your clothes, you are always nice and wet for me, aren’t you?” he asked. Zane unbuttoned her pants and slipped his hand inside. Ava drew in a breath as his finger found her clit and circled it. “Mmm, absolutely drenched,” he hummed. 

“Always for you,” she sighed and pulled on his shirt to get it free of his pants. There was a quiet knock on the door, and both of them froze. 

“Ava?” A whisper almost too quiet to hear came from the other side. Ava turned towards the door and tried to straighten up.

“Come in, Luka,” she called and gave Zane a glare as he sighed, irritated. Luka opened the door a little and peered inside. He was still in his blue pyjamas and was clutching the pink bunny. “Are you okay?” Ava asked, and he nodded. “Come inside,” she said, holding out a hand towards him. Luka glanced at Zane.

“Come on in, Luka,” he said in a kind voice. Luka nodded and wandered inside the room and took Ava’s hand. She crunched down to his level.

“What’s up?” she asked. 

“The bunny is hungry,” he told her. 

“Oh, Mr Bunny is hungry, is he? Well, we can’t have that. How about you, me and Mr bunny head down to the kitchen for a snack?” she told him, and she heard Zane chuckle. Luka nodded. 

“Mind if I tag along? I could go for a snack as well,” Zane asked.

“What do you say, Luka?” Ava asked.

“It’s okay,” Luka said. 

“Thank you,” Zane said. The three of them walked out of the room. As they started down the stairs, Zane looked down at Luka and frowned. “Luka, you don’t have socks or shoes on,” he commented. Lukka shook his head. “The floor downstairs is stone. It’s cold. Is it okay if I carry you so your feet won’t get cold?” Zane asked. 

“Okay,” Luka said, and Zane picked him up. Ava’s heart ached a little. She stood on the step above Zane and leaned into him and gave him a kiss on the cheek. 

“I love you,” she whispered to him. He looked a little confused, but smiled at her. They walked down to the kitchen, it was dark and silent. Zane pulled out a chair from the table. 

“Sit down, angel,” he told her and then put Luka on another chair. “How hungry are we talking? Are we talking sandwich and milk? Cereal? Fruit?” Zane asked. Luka hummed and swung is legs. 

“What kind of cereal do you have?” he asked.

“Good question,” Zane said and walked over to the pantry. “Cornflakes, Lucky Charms, Count Chocula and Cheerios,” he called to them. Luka’s eyes grew big. 

“Lucky Charms?” he asked.

“Yeah, do you want a bowl?” Zane asked. 

“Yes, please.”

“Angel?” Zane asked.

“I’ll just have an apple, thank you,” she said. Zane came back with two bowls of cereal and an apple. They sat round the table, eating and talking. 

“Why does he call you angel?” Luka asked Ava. Ava smiled at the question. 

“Yes, Zane. Why do you call me that?” Ava asked. She loved his pet name for her and she loved he had used it from the moment they met.

“Because she looks and acts like an angel,” Zane said. 

“It’s a good nickname,” Luka decided. 

“I agree,” Ava said. When they were all done, Ava put the bowls and spoon in the dishwasher as Zane scooped Luka up in his arms. Luka yawned and rubbed his eyes. 

“Tired?” Ava asked him. He nodded. As they headed back upstairs, he leaned his head against Zane’s shoulder and fell asleep. The pink bunny slipped from his tiny hand and Ava picked it up. She walked into his room and pulled back the comforter so Zane could put him in the bed. Ava put the rabbit next to him and tucked him in for the second time that night. She gave him a kiss on his head and Zane pulled her into his side with an arm around her. 

“I could get used to this,” he told her as they walked back to their room. 

“Lucky, it won’t be long until we have one of our own,” she told him. 

“Do you think I can be a good father?” he asked.